Pivoted forming die for reciprocating metal plate benders



w. T, GLUD Jan. 6,

Filed April 20, 1945 27/1/ 17 5 all/474767171!! 1 INVENTOR. I WIL ZY IAM I ELUD ATTORNEY I Patented Jan. 6, 1948 UNITED STATES ATENT 'QF i vPIVO'IED FORMING DIE FOR RECIPROCAT IN G METAL PLATE BENDERS' William T. 'Glud, Bremerton,-Wash.

Application April 20, 1945, Serial No.-589,,446

2 Claims. (Cl. 1533'3') (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) This invention relates to a forming die and more particularly to a forming die of the dual action type.

In the formation of articles by meansof press and die, the die is customarily of single piece, rigid construction. found satisfactory in the formation of articles with relatively shallow indentations. However, in production procedures involving the pressing of sheets of metal, plastic or other .material to conform to deep or extensive configurations of a die, formational stresses, strains and frictional effects on the material cause imperfections resulting in rejection by inspectors of many'articles produced.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved forming die having the advantage of converting part of the vertical motion of a press into rotational movement of portions of the die, expeditiously to form objects by reducing the formational stresses and strains and undesirable frictional effects on the material being shaped.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved forming die capable of speedily forming articles of accurately positioned configuration; to promote the safety of an operator of a press associated with the forming. die making the handling of the material within th press unnecessary; to provide an improved forming die from which formed articles may be speedily and easily removed, and to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a forming die of the character and for the purposes set forth.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dual action forming die embodying the features of thepresent invention and showing a conventional ram member supported thereabove in operating position.

Fig. '2 is 'a detail cross sectional view of a dual action forming die, the article for-med in the die, and the conventional ram being shown in their respective positions at the end of th downward stroke of said ram member.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

The dual action forming die is supported'by a box-like base member, substantially rectangular in shape, consisting of a foundation plate I, of a material strong enough to supportthedie during pressing operations A pair of end plates .2 .and

Such a conventional die is a pair ofside plates 3 are weldably secured substantiallyperpendicular to the foundation plate to form a frame and retaining walls for the die forming bed or box-like base member.

Extending and arranged longitudinally within the box are a pair of rectangular bearing blocks 4, each having a concave, semi-cylindrical bearing surface 5 extending throughout their length.

A plurality of shims 'Garranged on-the outer side faces of the blocks and within the bed and end plates constrain the bearing blocks 4 in parallel relationship within the box-like base member. By varying; the placing of said shims 6, the bearing blocks 4"may be-spa-ced as desired in respect to each other and in respect to the side plates 3 for each design to be pressed. For example; shims may be-also arranged between the blocks 4 to properly space the same. In this connection it will be apparent that a sufiicient number of shims 6-are used to wedge the bearing blocks 4 securely into place in the bed.

A pair of elongated angular rocker arms -'I and 8, having lower convex, semi-cylindricalbearing surfaces :9 and H], are pivotally mounted on the concave bearing surfaces!) of the bearing blocks 4. The rocker arms I 'and8 have outwardly directed laterally extending arm portions I land l 2 with substantially flat top surfaces l3 and M for receiving and supporting a blank of sheet material to be formed. The inwardly facing surfaces 15 and 1'6 of the rockerarms l and 8 are grooved as shown to receive and support bite adjustment plates I1 and I8 presently more fully described. Said surfaces l5 and I6 have longitudinal lips l9 and 20 projecting inwardly to support and act cooperatively with a depth control plate also presently described.

Width control plates 2| and 22 are adjustably mounted on surfaces 13 and M by wing bolts 23 passed through elongated openings 24 in the arms of the width control plates, the bolts being threadedly engaged with the rocker arms 1 and 3.

Adjustable gauge blocks 25 and 26 are supported by the width control plates 2|, and 22. Said adjustable gauge blocks 25 and 26 are clamped inposition by set screws 21 and 28, thus permitting a blank of materialto be inserted only as far "as desired.

The bite adjustment plates I1 and I8 are the workingsurfaces for the rocker arms 1 and 8. By loosening adjustment bolts 29 and 30 that are threadedly engaged through elongated openings in bitev adjustment plate mounting arms 3| and 32, said bite adjustment plates I1 and I8 may be adjusted in relation to. their respective rocker adjustment enables the plates l1 and I8 to be brought snugly against the rocker arms I and 8, respectively since the arms 3| and 32 are made integral, as by welding, with the plates l1 and 18, respectively. The removal of said adjustment bolts 29 and 30 at each end of rocker arms 1 4 desired height by tightening the adjustment bolts 31. This height of adjustment controls the tilt of the rocker arms II and i2 and affects the amount and angle of opening of the bite adjustment plates H and I8.

The width control plates 2! and 22 are adjusted to receive the blank of sheet material to be formed and are secured in such adjustment by tightening the wing bolts 23.

The distance the blank of sheet material can be shoved into the die is regulated by securing the gauge blocks in position by tightening set screws and 8 permits the removal of the bite adjustment plates l1 and I8 and the substitution therefor of bite adjustment plates of various configurations.

33 designates a depth control plate supported by the lips l9 and 26 on the rocker arms. The control plate 33 is slidabl guided in a vertical direction by pegs 34 and 35 passed through holes in the depth control plate and rigidly secured to the foundation plate I in vertical position. The depth control plate 33 may be made in various forms desired to be impressed in the material. By different choices of forms of depth control plate 33 and, of course, the corresponding cooperating male die member hereinafter described, material may be fashioned in various shapes either for structural or ornamental purposes. For example, while the material shape illustrated is generally in the form of a U with a concave lower portion, it is possible to form the lower portion either flat or convex with different degrees of curvature.

Adjustment gauges 36 are supported in adjustable relationship to the side plates 3 by adjustment bolts 31 threadedly engaged to the adjustment gauges 36 through substantially vertically arranged elongated openings in the side plates 3. The adjustment gauges 36 support the outwardly directed arm portions H and I2 of rocker arms I and 8 in relaxed position. The vertical adjustment of gauges 36 provides an addi- 21 and 28.

Bite adjustment plates ll and H3 are secured in desired adjusted position by tightening bolts 23 and 36 on both ends of the die.

The depth control plate 33 is placed slidably upon pegs 34 and 35 so as to Overlap the lips l3 and 26. The depth control plate 33 and the bottom male die portion ll of the ramming member 46 being of complementary configuration, the desired shaping or forming of the metal blank may be hus effected.

Guided by the width control plates 21 and 22 and the adjustable gauge blocks 25 and 26, the blank of material to be formed is positioned on the dual action forming die.

As the ramming member 46 descends, the male die H comes in contact with the blank of sheet material supported on surfaces l3 and i l. The continued downward motion of said die ll causes the blank of sheet material to be bent downwardly in the middle. The bending action shortens the blank of sheet material and tends to rotate the tional method of regulating the relative positioning of the bite adjustment plates I1 and i3.

38 designates handles that are rigidly secured to the outwardly directed arm portions H and l2 of the rocker arms I and 8 and permit the manual operation of the dual action forming die.

39, Fig. 2, designates a piece or blank of sheet material acted upon and formed by the mutual action of a ram member 46 and a male die mem-'- ber 4|. The ram and male die members are not parts of the invention, but are shown to coact with and motivate the dual action forming die. These members are aflixed to a press ina suitable manner and the press is actuated conventionally.

42 designates a centering gauge mounted on the end plate 2 and is useful in positioning the rocker arms land 8, the material being formed, and the dual action forming die in relation to the ram member.

Operation The operation of a forming die constructed as described is as follows:

The shims 6 are so placed within the box-like base member as to wedge the bearing blocks 3 a in the desired position for the operation to be performed,

The angular rocker arms I and 8 are placed on the bearing blocks A in such a manner that their convex bearing surfaces 9 and. i0 may turn M freely within the concave bearing surfaces 5.

The adjustment gauges 36 are secured at the rocker arms 7 and 8 inwardly through the friction of the material being formed on surfaces 53 and M and bite adjustment plates ll and i3. Said frictionally transmitted force continues to rotate the rocker arms 1 and 8 inwardly as the male die 4| descends.

Near the bottom of the stroke the male die ll presses the material being formed against the depth control plate 33 with force suffioient to cause the material being formed to conform to the configurations of the male die El and depth control plate 33.

The depth control plate 33 transmits the downward force of the press to the lips l3 and 23 of the rocker arms 7 and 8 which in turn positively rotate the rocker arms 1 and 8 inwardly pressing the bite adjustment plates H and I8 inwardly against the material being formed. Said inward movement of the bite adjustment plates I! and I3 is controlled by regulating the extent of the downward movement of the press. It may be augmented by force applied to the handles 33.

As the ramming member 40 and male die 4| move upward, the depth control plate 33 is relieved of the depressing force. The weight of the outwardly directed arm portions II and I2 of the rocker arms I and 8 overbalance the rocker arms I and B and rotate the said rocker arms outwardly, open the bite adjustment plates 1'! and I8, transmit an upward motion to the depth control plate 33 through the lips l9 and 20 and eject the formed article 39 from the dual action forming die. The amount that the formed article 3.9,is lifted from the dual action forming die by the depth control plate 33 is dependent upon the amount of outward rotation of the rocker arms I and 8 permitted by the throw adjustment gauges 36.

This ejection of the formedarticle 39 facilitates its speedy removal and makes way for a. quick insertion of another blank of sheet material and a repetition of the process.

It is by virtue of the combined forming action exerted on the workpiece by the male die member 4| and the female element of the die, comprising the rocker arms 1 and 8 and their associated structure, as described above, that the apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is referred to herein as a dual action forming die.

It is apparent, therefore, that I have provided a dual action forming die having the advantages of converting part of the vertical motion of the press into rotational movement of portions of the die whereby stresses, strains, and undesirable frictional effects of formation are vastly reduced; wherein articles of accurately positioned configuration may be formed; where the handling of the material during formation is unnecessary; and wherefrom formed articles may be speedily and easily removed.

The terms sheet and sheet material are employed herein in their generic sense, and they are intended primarily to embrace heavy gauge material of the type commonly known as plate. They also embrace various shapes of material, whether straight or partially preformed, such as bars, rods, and the like.

While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that the device is susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited by the disclosures set forth, but only by the scope of the claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes Without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A dual action forming die comprising a boxlike foundation member substantially rectangular in shape; a pair of rectangular bearing blocks longitudinally positioned within the base member, each block having a semi-cylindrical concave bearing surface extending throughout its length; a plurality ,of shims contained within said base member to constrain in adjustable parallel relationship the said bearing blocks; a pair of elongated angular rocker arms having lower bearing surfaces pivotally supported in said bearing blocks and outwardly directed arm portions having substantially flat surfaces provided to receive sheet material to be formed and inwardly facing surfaces each having longitudinal, inwardly projecting lips thereon; a pair of bit adjustment plates mounted on the inwardly facing surfaces of said rocker arms adapted formatively to engage the sheet material from the frictional moment of said material to impart an inward rotational motion to the rocker arms; a pair of adjustable width control plates supported on the rocker arms provided to position the said sheet material on the die; a pair of gauge blocks mounted on the said width control plates constituting stops for the inserted material; a depth control plate having guide openings formed therein positioned between the rocker arms and supported by the inwardly projecting lips thereof; guide pegs passed through the openings in the depth control plate and rigidly secured to the foundation member for slidably guiding the control plate in vertical direction; a centering gauge mounted and centered on a portion of the foundation member; and a pair or throw adjustment gauges supported by the sides of the foundation member in a position to support the outer portions of the rocker arms in a relaxed position, said throw adjustment gauges being adapted to control the initial opening between the bit adjustment plates.

2. A female die assembly comprising a support; a pair of parallel bearing blocks arranged for adjustment in any predetermined spaced relationship on said support; an elongated rocker arm pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof in each of said bearing blocks and having its other end disposed outwardly of said blocks; an inwardly disposed lip means carried by each rocker arm above its surface of pivotal engagement with its bearing block; a depth control plate supported between said lip means; and gauge means mounted on said support adjacent the outwardly disposed end of each of said arms for controlling the degree of outward pivotal movement of said arms; the adjacent, upper surfaces of said arms being disposed formatively to engage adjacent surfaces of a workpiece placed over the female die as the workpiece is initially pressed inwardly thereof, and said arms being arranged to rotate inwardly on said bearing blocks by the frictional engagement of the workpiece with the said arm surfaces.

WILLIAM T. GLUD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 334,397 Spaulding Jan. 12, 1886 659,111 Soper Oct. 2, 1900 724,519 Tarpenning Apr. 7, 1903 1,003,197 Ohl, Jr Sept. 12, 1911 1,045,089 Belding et a1. Nov. 19, 1912 1,058,775 McKillop Apr. 15, 1913 2,332,435 Bucklein Oct. 19, 1943 

